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Title: Survey Managers - Consultant
Total number of consultants: 5
Country Program: IRC Nigeria Country program - Nutrition unit
Proposed Dates
Projected start (2/2/2026) and end date (31/05/2026)
Duration
Total working days (22)
Background of the project
The proposed research project will leverage IRC’s Tom Brown TSFPs in Borno State, Nigeria. In this part of Nigeria, an estimated 1.0 million children under five suffer from SAM and 1.55 million from MAM. To address MAM, WFP and partners, including IRC, have piloted the Tom Brown approach in northeast (Borno, Yobe) and northwest (Katsina) Nigeria under the WFP 2023–2027 Country Strategic Plan, aiming to transition TSFP sites from RUSF to Tom Brown. Funded by BMZ/KFW and implemented by IRC, BSPHCDB, INTERSOS, and SHI, the Borno project targets 58,696 MAM children across 7 LGAs in 2025.
The IRC has been delivering MAM treatment in six Borno LGAs including MMC, Jere, Konduga, Magumeri, Gwoza and Monguno LGAs for the past four years and currently supports 40 TSFPs. Under the above-mentioned project, 11 IRC program sites (3 in Konduga, 8 in MMC) have transitioned from RUSF to Tom Brown. Between March 2025 and January 2026, the program aims to target approximately 10,000 MAM children with Tom Brown. As part of the project, care groups have been formed, lead mothers selected, and IEC materials have been developed. Lead mothers receive training, cash, and vouchers to prepare Tom Brown flour using locally available ingredients—millet, sorghum, soybeans, and groundnuts, which are fortified either with Moringa or MNP. Vouchers and cash transfers cover ingredients, utensils, fuel, water, milling, and transport. Lead mothers coach caregivers bi-weekly on Tom Brown preparation and IYCF. The preparation i.e. cleaning, roasting and milling of the grains is done jointly and each child receives 300g/day (869 kcal, 43g protein, 28g fat) over a 10-week period in biweekly rations of 4.5 kgs. Community Nutrition Monitors (CNM) visit participants weekly to measure and record MUAC and monitor consumption of the blended flour. TSFP sites are linked to PHC facilities, with referral systems for SAM cases.
Sub-study objectives and methods
This research project will consist of the following 4 sub-studies, with separate objectives but the same data collection.
Sub-Study Objectives and Methods
1. Qualitative Feasibility Study:
This sub-study aims to understand current models of Tom Brown implementation and scale, assess feasibility as perceived by caregivers, local implementers, MoH, UN agencies, and INGOs, and identify challenges and facilitators to scale up. Data will be collected through in-depth Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with purposefully selected participants, combined with interviews for acceptability and cost studies. Written consent will be obtained, and interviews will be conducted at workplaces or caregivers’ homes, audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated by research staff.
2. Qualitative Acceptability Study:
The objective is to explore perceptions of acceptability, likeability, usage, and effectiveness of the Tom Brown approach and porridge among caregivers, lead mothers, health workers, and community members. This will be achieved through in-depth KIIs with key informants, as outlined in Table 1, using the same integrated interview approach as the feasibility study.
3. Economic Evaluation:
This sub-study seeks to estimate the cost of Tom Brown TSFPs from a societal perspective, identify major cost drivers, and compare costs to a hypothetical MAM program using RUSF. Expected outcomes include cost per participant enrolled (and, if feasible, per child cured), total program cost, cost drivers, and a cost model for government-led implementation. Data will be collected from program financial records and KIIs using an ingredients-based approach.
4. Stakeholder Values Study:
The goal is to document stakeholder priorities for treatment outcomes to ensure future studies focus on indicators meaningful to affected communities. Data will be collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with diverse stakeholder groups, including caregivers, health workers, MoH staff, researchers, INGOs, and UN agencies. FGDs may include pile-sorting exercises, with an estimated 10–20 sessions planned.
Table 1. Key informants and sample sizes
Key informant type Sample size Study/topic the key informant is interviewed for
Acceptability Feasibility and Scale Cost
MoH staff (e.g. Nutrition focal point) 1-2 X X
IRC staff (e.g. Nutrition coordinator, finance staff) 2-3 X X
Tom Brown sub-working group1 X X
WFP 1-2 X X
Other NGO/UN staff (CRS, ACF, Save the Children, FAO) 5 X X2
MoH staff 1-2, e.g. nutrition focal point
Lead mothers 1-2 caregivers for each of the 11 sites X X X
Caregivers involved in Tom Brown program 1-2 caregivers per site (total of 11-22) X X X
Community Nutrition mobilisers 1 from each site X X X
Referral health Centre staff 2-3 staff per referral health centre X X X
Other community members?
Caregivers and health staff involved in an RUF TSFP (if possible)
TOTAL 50-100
1. The WFP ToR and IRC proposal mentioned that this would be established by partners.
2. Cost questions for RUSF TSFP if not existing in IRC
Selection and Hiring of Research Consultant
To ensure high-quality data collection for this research, candidates will include a mix of former IRC staff and experienced enumerators proficient in local dialects. All shortlisted candidates will undergo a structured interview process prior to final selection
Scope of Work and Timeline
Five qualitative research consultants (3 females and 2 males) with strong skills in interview techniques and rapport building (community engagement) will be hired for a 4-month period.
Scope of Work:
- Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs).
- Facilitate Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).
- Ensure accurate transcription and translation of audio recordings into written format.
- Prepare and submit weekly and monthly field reports.
Deliverables:
- Provide daily/weekly briefings to the Research Coordinator.
- Submit comprehensive weekly and monthly reports.
- Attend meetings related to the Tom Brown research as required.
Payment Rate and Schedule
The research consultants will be engaged as short-term consultants for a 4-month period and are not full-time IRC staff. Each consultant will receive a daily rate of NGN 19,801.69, aligned closely with IRC staff assistant rates. This equates with a monthly payment of NGN 435,637.25, which covers all applicable benefits and transportation costs for field activities.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
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